Editors Note: As a reporter for Pittsburgh Standard looking to do a
religious piece for the October edition, I decided to check out
Pitt-Asian InterVarsity's bible study discussion for the first time.
What I learned reminded me of how Jesus brought restoration into my own
life. What you will be reading is my account of the Pitt-Asian
InterVarsity's community and Bible study for one night and an
encouragement on how the Lord can bring restoration into your own life.

Couple of Asian American students gathered at
Market Central Dining, on the night of Wed, Sept 30, 2009 around 7:15
p.m., to have a time of fun, food, and fellowship with Jason Huang,
Andrea Huang, and Marsha Wang, who serve as campus ministers with
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Their time of eating together reflected
InterVarsity's aim of emphasizing small group community not only when it
comes to getting food for the soul but food for the body.

As a former alum and former staff of
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, it was so exciting for me to see the
members of Pitt-Asian InterVarsity bonding together as they had a
community meal together for the nourishment of the body and then
anticipating an inductive Bible study for the soul from the Gospel of
Luke.

Photo by Ramesh C. Reddy

Seeing the members of the group eating together
in fellowship reminded me of my favorite passage in Scripture involving
a community of believers. It is from Acts 2:42-47 which says,
"They
devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and
many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the
believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their
possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day
they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread
in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to
their number daily those who were being saved."

After their meal time was over that nourished
their body, they went on to a place in Posvar Hall 5400 to nourish their
souls with the Word of God. There the students were led through a Bible
discussion by Jason and Andrea from the Gospel of Luke 8:40-56 regarding
a 'dead girl and a sick woman'.

I really enjoyed the brief moment I was there
during my break from work because of the nuggets of truth that Jason and
Andrea helped the students discover through the joy of Bible discovery.

Asian students enjoying a time of
Bible study in Luke 8:40-56 as they make OBSERVATIONS.

Andrea reminded the students of how much Jesus
loves us and cares for us that He gives us much more than we ask of Him.
Both the sick woman and the synagogue ruler got more than they expected
from Jesus who restored to them what they needed and gave them much
more.

Friends, that is how the Lord works because He
loves us more than we can imagine. Hearing a discussion of this passage
was very special to me because of how the Lord Jesus has used this
similar passage from the Gospel of Mark 5:21-43 to bring restoration to
different areas of my life. For a couple of days, I went through
all the verses from Mark 5:22-43 and was so blessed to be nourished by
God's Word for my own restoration.

Whatever Jesus taught me, I had shared the
implications of that with hundreds of my friends regarding the 'dead
girl and the sick woman' from Gospel of Mark 5:22-43! They can be
accessed below if you want to reflect on the passage throughout the
week.

Friends, the Lord reminded me through my own
devotional times in Mark 5:22-43 and through Jason and Andrea's Bible
discussion that He does not want us to be stuck where we are but wants
to move us to higher ground!

Students have a table discussion
regarding the IMPLICATIONS of Luke 8:40-46

If you are stuck any where, Jesus wants you to
move on instead of living in the past. The woman did not let the 12
years of her past stop her from seeking Jesus and moving on. She was
able to move on because Jesus freed her from her suffering. You too can
be freed in the Lord.

The Synagogue ruler did not let the death of
his 12-year old daughter stop him from letting Jesus see them even when
the speech of 'Do not disturb, the child is dead' was echoing.

You too should not let despondency, despair,
and depression keep you from what the Lord Jesus wants to do in your
life. He has a wonderful plan for your life!

I speak from experience because the past has
hurt me a lot especially when it involves ministry but I thank the Lord
Jesus for my meeting with Edwin Chan, one of our church leaders of
Oakland International Fellowship. He reminded me that God is a God of
restoration no matter what we lost as He prunes us for our good. His
discipline is for our benefit.

As I write this, the song, "Who Am I" by
Casting Crowns just came on and is blessing me so much.

Edwin used a football analogy to make me
realize even though I feel benched in different areas of my life that
does not mean I do not do anything. I still need to train as hard as
those who are playing as starters on the football field so the Lord
Jesus can use me when my time comes in His perfect timing. For
now, I need to still go through the same training and drills involving
ministry. More than anything I have heard, that analogy by Edwin touched
me and motivated me to keep moving on in ministry without being
discouraged, believing that the Lord's restoration in my life regarding
what I am passionate about will happen in His perfect timing.

It reminded me of the woman and Jairus
daughter who were healed on the same day bringing restoration to their
own lives from the dead situations they faced. While writing this I
became teary because of experiencing the magnitude of God's love
especially when we are discouraged and down.

Edwin's analogy reminded me of what Abdou Cole,
my mentor at Sodexo impressed upon me even as I served the Lord! He told
me never to forget: "Ramesh it is better to be prepared and not have an
opportunity than have an opportunity and not be prepared!"

I took that to heart, preparing myself and am
so blessed to have the job I have now as the floor zone manager for
Market Central Dining, assessed as one of the best dining halls in the
nation. Edwin reminded me never to forget all the lives that I can touch
by being a floor manager.

I know for an application, I need to
remember that God can always restore us in our weaknesses as we rely
upon Him and His strength even though it may seem painful for days,
months, or even years but His timing will always be perfect.

Students ponder APPLICATION of Luke
8:40-46 for their own lives!

Friend, there maybe areas in your life that may
seem to you as dead, causing you despair, despondency, and depression
but I want you to know that the God who healed the woman who was
bleeding for 12 years and Jairus daughter is the same God that can bring
restoration in areas of your life that seem dead to you. Yes, He can
friend. If it involves loved ones who have died, only Christ the Lord
can bring restoration and comfort in your life. Wait on Him and let Him
help you through your grief as He carries you.

We pray this for our own family as we lost our
beloved dad two years ago but it seems like yesterday at times. We know
that one day we will see our dad again in God's Kingdom. Thank you
Jesus.

I am listening to the song, 'Shadowfeet' by
Brooke Fraser that talks about how Christ makes all things new. Yes, He
does friend!

We live in a world of brokenness caused by our
own sins or the sins of others in our lives but Jesus never wants us to
remain in our brokenness but wants to give us hope to move on. He
gives us hope to pursue dreams and relationships for His honor and
glory. But most of all, Jesus restores each one of us through the
community He places in our lives so we need to seek that community out.

We should not go on feelings because there are
a lot of things we won't feel like doing but if we lived on feelings
alone then we will live miserable lives because sometimes we may not
even feel like being part of God's community but that does not mean we
ignore community. Most of all we never let feelings decide whether or
not we will spend time with God in His Word. His Word will change and
transform our lives by His grace as we allow Him too. He will take the
dead things of our lives and bring life to them for He is the
Resurrection and the Life.

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and
the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and
whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Jesus who spoke words of encouragement to
Martha is the same Jesus who spoke words of encouragement to Jairus by
saying: "Don't be afraid, just
believe!" He speaks these words to you too!
This applies to us too. In both situations, a resurrection occurred.
Jesus can resurrect our own lives, relationships and dreams that are
dead to us. Yes, He can. Do not give up! What I learned was Jesus gives
much more than we want. Praise the Lord!

Jesus is all about restoration and it usually
starts in community. As I reflected on this passage again, I was
reminded how the Lord Jesus brought the community of Oakland
International Fellowship into my life and how the church has been
instrumental in my own growth and restoration in different areas.

But for me it started with a small group
community which was the size of Pitt-Asian InterVarsity. It is there I
was loved in my weaknesses and deeply loved, cared, and prayed for as
they shared their own lives with me. It was called Potter's Clay at the
time but now has it's members split into Living Acts and Adoye as they
care, share, and pray with one another.

What I found there is what gave me a church
life after so many years. It is that small group that impacted me in so
many ways. I would go to Oakland International Fellowship just to see
all of them more than for the worship and sermons. This is how I got
involved in OIF and eventually became a small group leader in the past,
unofficial librarian, and currently a Bible game leader for 1st - 3rd
grade Sunday School children.

I share this with you to let you see how the
Lord Jesus restores us. He meets us where we are at and uses where we
are at to encourage, empower, and equip us for His eternal purposes. He
will never force us into situations we cannot handle but gently by His
grace, He will reveal His power to impact our lives by the power of the
Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Counselor. Many times Jesus restores us
publicly from issues of shame as Jesus did for the sick woman because
Jesus is all about restorative community through His grace.

If you are an Asian-American college student
looking for a Bible study and community to grow in where you are
accepted as you are in your weaknesses, I highly encourage you to think
about joining Pitt-Asian InterVarsity and allow the Lord Jesus to use
those He puts in your path to PRAY, CARE, and SHARE their lives with
you.

More than anything, it is so that you can be
restored by God's awesome Word that has power to transform and change
lives. Students currently at Pitt-Asian InterVarsity can experience this
and so can you!

If you are looking for a church to be part of,
come to Oakland International Fellowship in the heart of the Oakland
community between Carnegie Mellon University and University of
Pittsburgh. Oakland International Fellowship is the English congregation
of Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland.

I would also recommend you to join one of our
church small groups called Abundant Life, Adoye, or Living Acts that
meet on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. I am part of Living Acts and love it there
when I am able to go :) You can contact me at 412-641-9426 and I can
connect you with the small group leaders.

May you experience the love of Jesus that was
experienced by Jairus' family and the sick woman and may you find it in
a community beyond feelings but walking in faith and not sight. Allow
the Lord Jesus to work in you. He will friend. I see the Lord
working in my own life through my terrible weaknesses. No matter how
many years have gone by, with Jesus nothing is too late. When Jesus
restores, there is no crumbling! Praise the Lord!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus,You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace,
Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a
life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I
need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround
me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you
love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek
your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for
your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case.
Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
(Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

May you experience the POWER OF
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION this day, and give Him the LOCKED areas of your
life too so you can experience His PEACE as you become an ACTOR in the
film called LIFE being directed by your DIRECTOR, JESUS CHRIST who comes
to give JOY and PEACE.

You
don't have to be locked away anymore for Christ is here to free you and
give you peace to LIVE out your actions.

How do you look at GODISNOWHERE?

One of my pastors, Pastor Hugo SHARED this
example one Sunday at the
RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh
Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:

If
you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin
and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no
peace.

But
as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to
tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.

Yes,
friend God is aLIVE and wants to bring a transformation in your life
through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on
the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and LIVE
with us.

Yes,
friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE
& LIVING GRACE.

When
we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive
us and RESTORE us to Him and we will find peace in Him.

"For the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his
Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, NIV)

Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our
sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge
so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the
finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.

"For it is by GRACE you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not
by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Come to Jesus as you are and pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your
Lord and Personal Savior. He will transform your life around! Praise the
Lord! You don't have to have all the answers! You can come as you are!

If you want to be a soldier in the Lord's army, you can become it right now.
Now is the time of Salvation! You do not have to wait but can pray this prayer
and give your life to Christ to serve Him daily! There is no draft but coming to
Christ is voluntary. He loves you so much and wants you to come to Him! He will
take care of you, guiding you and leading you!

If you want to be a soldier in the Lord's army, you can become it right now.
Now is the time of Salvation! You do not have to wait but can pray this prayer
and give your life to Christ to serve Him daily! There is no draft but coming to
Christ is voluntary. He loves you so much and wants you to come to Him! He will
take care of you, guiding you and leading you!

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me so
much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me. You became the Son of
Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled yourself and became obedient to
death-even death on the cross. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. You
died on the cross so that I can be covered in your blood and cleansed by your
blood as I acknowledge that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being
my pathway. So, Jesus I confess all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried
to get into Heaven when you already provided the means and the Way. Thank you
for all that you have done for me. "The cross is the place, a wonderful place
where accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus, it is at the
cross where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us were nailed at the
cross. Thank you Jesus, at the cross you died for our sins and at the cross you
gave your life for us." I thank you for that and thank you for coming back to
life to save us. Thank you Jesus for being there for me! Thank you for loving
me. I love you Jesus! Please take me as I am and make my life into something
that you will be proud of. I surrender my life to you and need your help to live
for you. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me and I can never
repay you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me Jesus please. I
thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me.
Whatever your will give me the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you
Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray
precious Jesus! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart,
know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To
make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him
as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the
Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into
prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel
of John or Gospel of
Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord
show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to
help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches
the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our
crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help! But
beware of churches who do believe in the Word of God completely but
there is no freedom in Christ but legalism involved.

As a professional, it is not too late to join a
church! As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus this new year of 2009! May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His
love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this
prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and
all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may
feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your
new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave
you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord
speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out
the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.
Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church
fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be
part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the
Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in
Bible LIVE Eternally!

Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.comif you want to meet to study the Bible,
pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My
number is 412-641-9426

"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)